Revoking Bail - Go to Jail & Lose Your Bond

Getting released on bail can be complicated and costly, but going back to jail and forfeiting bond is even worse. If a defendant violates bail conditions or fails to show up in court, then the bail is revoked. After revocation comes forfeiture. So, the defendant lost his freedom and now might possibly lose his money. If a defendant's violation is explainable, there's a chance that forfeiture can be set aside.

Revoking Bail - Back to Jail

If a defendant "jumps bail" or fails to appear, then bail will be revoked. At that point, the defendant has lost the right to be free before trial. The court can issue an arrest warrant for the failure to appear (FTA). In most states, failing to appear is a crime. So, the defendant who jumps bail has the original criminal charge and an additional FTA criminal charge. The warrant remains active until the defendant's capture.

There are other reasons why a defendant's bail can be revoked, including:

Committing a crime while released

Violating any other condition of bail

For instance, in O.J. Simpson's armed robbery case in Las Vegas, one of the conditions of his release was to not contact, directly or indirectly, any other defendants or witnesses. While out on bail, he tried to convince his bondsman to get a message to another defendant. The prosecutors successfully argued that O.J. Simpson violated the terms of his bail. As such, he was taken back into custody and returned to jail until trial.

Bail Revocation Process

Both federal and state courts have procedures for revoking bail. In federal court, the Bail Reform Act of 1984 controls the process. If a defendant commits a crime while out on bail, there's a presumption that no conditions of release can keep the community safe. The defendant is given an opportunity to rebut or overcome the presumption. It's up to the judge to decide whether to revoke bail completely or impose new or additional conditions of release. Along with bail revocation, other penalties under the Act for violating release conditions or failing to appear include bond forfeiture, fines and additional prison time, which is tacked on to the end of any other prison time received by a defendant.

State laws vary as to the bail revocation process. Nevertheless, all state laws allow for revocation of bail if a defendant violates a condition of release, fails to appear or commits another crime while on bail. Even so, there are some variations within those factors. For example, some states require that the failure to appear be willful or knowing. Other states require that violations of release conditions must threaten the integrity of the judicial process.

Bond Forfeiture

If a defendant's bail is revoked, the next step generally taken by the court is to forfeit the bail bond. In other words, any money or property put up to secure the defendant's release is turned over to the court. In most states, procedures for bond forfeiture are set by law. An entry of a forfeiture order is usually mandatory. Federal rules, as well as virtually all state laws, allow for bond forfeiture when a defendant fails to make a court appearance. Along with that, the federal courts and most states authorize bond forfeiture for a violation of a release condition.

Forfeiture of a bond requires notice be sent to the defendant and the surety, most likely a bail bondsman. Generally, before a forfeiture becomes final, the bail bondsman is given a certain period of time to bring the defendant in or explain the steps taken to locate a missing defendant. Some state laws give the defendant or bail bondsman a chance to explain the reason for the violation and possibly avoid the forfeiture. These reasons are sometimes known as mitigating factors and can include a defendant's illness, physical disability or death. However, being in jail in another location isn't a legitimate mitigating factor.

Bail Remission

Even though bond is forfeited, it's still possible to have it set aside through remission. A bail remission motion is a request for a refund of money that was forfeited. Generally, these motions must be filed within a certain time, such as one year, from the date of forfeiture. Whether or not to grant relief from a forfeiture is usually within the trial court's discretion. Courts consider whether justice requires the forfeiture. Typically, a forfeiture can be set aside if:

The defendant wasn't aware of the specific condition violated

The defendant's violation wasn't willful

The government incurred no expense in attempting to locate the defendant

The government wasn't prejudiced or damaged by the violation

Under federal and some state laws, a forfeiture can be set aside in whole or in part.

If a defendant is out on bail, and wants to stay that way, showing up in court and following the conditions of release are crucial. The costs of one missed court date or violating a condition of release are financial and personal freedom.

Questions for Your Attorney

If a defendant is on bail for a federal drug offense, gets charged with a state drug offense and has his federal bail revoked, can he get bail for the state crime?

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